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KENTLAND, Ind. — A college football player gained fans off the field when he bought a little girl a doll for her birthday after overhearing her admiring the toy at a local Target.
This action may seem insignificant until you take into account the fact that the birthday girl was a complete stranger.
Tario Fuller II is a student and running-back at Purdue University. As he was wandering the aisles of Target last week with some friends, he overheard 2-year-old Kinley Shufflebarger begging her mother for a doll, according to ABC News.
Kinley's 3rd birthday was just around the corner, and she knew exactly what she wanted.
"I don't think Kinley really understood we weren't there to buy toys that day, so she was pleading her case of why she wanted that doll so badly," her mother, Megan Shufflebarger, told ABC.
Apparently the toddler made a convincing case because Fuller picked up the doll and disappeared, only to return shortly with the toy, a receipt and a "happy birthday" for Kinley.
"I was speechless initially, and had to ask him after he left the aisle if he could come back for a photo," Shufflebarger said. "I didn't realize until we got in the car that I didn't even know his name."
"What a reminder to never lose faith in humanity and to be generous and pay it forward," she wrote. "To this generous young man, whoever you are, I hope you see this and more importantly, I hope you know what a good young man you are."
The photo quickly caught fire — it's been shared nearly 70,000 times — and someone tagged Fuller in the post. Shufflebarger was able to give him a proper thank you.
"This one act of kindness has likely generated thousands of smiles, softened many hearts and inspired others," Shufflebarger told CBS News. "That in and of itself makes my heart full and happy."
Purdue University shared the photo and praised Fuller on its Facebook page.
"We couldn't be more proud of the type of young men and women in our athletics department," the post read.
